by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 21, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Residents in one of Kensington’s most exclusive streets are in a bizarre row with town hall chiefs over a 60ft bird net installed to prevent them from being plagued by pigeons.
A retired judge and former MI6 officer are among neighbours who have already spent more than £10,000 battling Kensington and Chelsea Council’s demand that they rip down the protective netting.
The birds moved into De Vere Gardens when two hotels were demolished in 2010 to make way for the £600 million One Kensington Gardens development opposite Kensington Palace.
Nearby celebrity bolthole The Baglioni Hotel hooked up a net over its patio to protect its glitzy clientele, who have included Lindsay Lohan, George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
The Baglioni hotel also installed anti-pigeon nets
But when one neighbour complained the net cage strung up at the rear of two six-storey Victorian terraces in the sidestreet created a “sense of enclosure”, the town hall stepped in and ordered its removal.
Officers said the net – which stopped the pigeons fouling windows and patios – needed planning permission and launched enforcement action.
Planning row: The 60ft high anti-pigeon netting Nigel Howard
Furious neighbours in the conservation road, where three-bed flats fetch £3million, dubbed the move “pigeongate” and mounted a legal challenge to the Planning Inspectorate.
After losing the appeal they have now lodged a last-ditch application to keep the nets in place.
Dr Daniel Sister, a leading anti-ageing specialist, warned that pigeon poo could lead to people catching potentially “life-threatening” psittacosis – known as Parrot Fever.
He said: “Until the temporary pigeon netting was installed in 2013, our rear patio was fouled daily by pigeons roosting on the ledges, window sills and eaves.
The netting in the alley behind the hotel Nigel Howard
“Since the netting was installed, there has been genuine and obvious improvement.
“I had the experience of the health risks associated with pigeon droppings, having been diagnosed and treated successfully in Paris with psittacosis.
“This can be a life-threatening infection and I do not want to be exposed to this risk nor my wife nor pet dog nor anyone in the building.”
Retired immigration judge and City lawyer Christopher Wright, 78, the chairman of the residents’ association, said: “That the council has taken this action the way it has is an outrage. The obligation to maintain the conservation area should be trumped by the desire of the residents to be protected from this nuisance.”
Fowl mess: Droppings left by the birds
Paul Wheeler, 82, a former MI6 specialist Middle East officer who later worked as a screenwriter on Minder and the Darling Buds of May, said the birds had been “terrorising” the building.
He said: “My wife Alex and I came home one day and the entire kitchen window was covered in poo. We said enough is enough and all decided to put up the nets which made an enormous difference and got rid of the problem. We had no idea you needed planning permission.
“We considered employing a hawk to get rid of the pigeons and we were quoted £10,000 a year. That’s about what we have paid on legal fees now fighting this council decision.”
Pigeon spikes didn’t deter the birds
The town hall’s planning department has recommended the planning committee takes the unusual step of refusing to rule on the application at its meeting on Tuesday.
A report states: “The planning merits of this development were already considered when the enforcement notice was served and the development was found to be unacceptable.
“The enclosure is of considerable scale, has no architectural merit and is causing harm to views of the buildings by reason of its height, bulk and width across the rear elevation.
Neighbour Susan Griggs said the whole row was “ridiculous” Nigel Howard
“There are more discreet and equally effective methods of bird control available including, for example spikes and wires which may be fixed on ledges and other areas where birds tend to perch or roost.”
If the planning application is not approved the residents will have until March 15 to remove the netting.
Neighbour Susan Griggs, 81, a former picture editor of the Daily Telegraph, said: “The whole thing has just been ridiculous.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 19, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
An exclusive street in Kensington plagued by pigeon droppings has got into trouble with its local council after residents took matters into their own hands and erected a 60ft ‘poo-catcher’ net.
The neighbours, who live in properties which fetch up to £3 million, have already spent more than £10,000 battling Kensington and Chelsea Council after they demanded that they rip down the protective netting put up to prevent their windows and doors being blighted by birds.
The feathery pests moved into De Vere Gardens when two hotels were demolished in 2010 to make way for the £600 million One Kensington Gardens development opposite Kensington Palace.
Dr Daniel Sister, a leading anti-ageing specialist, told the Evening Standard: “Until the temporary pigeon netting was installed in 2013, our rear patio was fouled daily by pigeons roosting on the ledges, window sills and eaves.
“Since the netting was installed, there has been genuine and obvious improvement.
“I had the experience of the health risks associated with pigeon droppings, having been diagnosed and treated successfully in Paris with psittacosis.
“This can be a life-threatening infection and I do not want to be exposed to this risk nor my wife nor pet dog nor anyone in the building.”
Nearby etablishment The Baglioni Hotel hooked up a net over its patio to protect its clientele, who have included Lindsay Lohan, George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
But when one neighbour complained the net cage strung up at the rear of two six-storey Victorian terraces in the side street created a “sense of enclosure”, the town hall stepped in and ordered its removal.
Officers said the net – which stopped the pigeons fouling windows and patios – needed planning permission and launched enforcement action.
Proceedings are now underway and if the planning application is not approved, residents will have until March 15 to remove the netting.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 14, 2016 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes
Spikes and chicken wire have been installed and layers of bird droppings removed from the footpath on the lower deck of the Craigavon Bridge leaving pigeons confused but the walkway remained closed to walkers and cyclists on Tuesday, March 8.
The path was closed by Transport NI at the beginning of February due to the build-up of pigeon droppings, which had begun to pose a slippery safety risk for walkers and cyclists.
A pigeon hang-out close to the steps near the Waterside end of the bridge was blamed. It was there that layers of pigeon droppings, millimetres thick had been allowed to accumulate.
But now that’s all been fixed. The pigeon droppings are gone and anti-pigeon spikes and chicken wire have been installed to help deter roosting near the steps.
SDLP Councillor, Martin Reilly, who has been lobbying for a solution, says he’s pleased to see the new deterrents in place and hopes that the lower deck footpath will be opened in the near future.
“I’d hope we’ll be seeing the reopening of this popular cycle path linking the Cityside and the Waterside in the near future,” said Mr Reilly.
“I’d like to welcome the agreement reached between Transport NI and Derry City and Strabane District Council not only to install the spikes and take the other measures to prevent pigeon-roosting, but I’d also like to welcome the commitment by the cleansing service to keep this popular pathway, free of dog mess and pigeon mess.”
While the footpath is now spick and span, Transport NI, has warned there’s no panacea against bird roosting.
Harry Gallagher, a section engineer at Transport NI, last month said: “Additional measures are being planned at the worst location to help deter pigeon roosting mess at Craigavon Bridge. These measures are likely to involve the use of mesh and spikes although I am prepared to consider other means as well. Efforts are being concentrated on the worst affected areas as there are so many possible ledges on Craigavon Bridge it does not seem realistic to make it pigeon proof.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 12, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
Feathers are flying in Horncastle over calls from the town council for people to stop feeding the town’s ‘problem’ pigeons.
Councillors issued the appeal through the Horncastle News after expressing concerns about the damage and amount of mess the pigeons are causing.
They claim that people feeding birds are leading to an increase in the pigeon population.
Councillors have previously ruled out other suggestions to control the number of birds, including putting them on the pill or bringing in trained hawks to kill them.
The council was supported by the town’s History and Heritage Society and the local Federation of Small Businesses.
Some residents also backed the council but several others say the birds should be left alone.
And one pigeon – dubbed Percy by locals after taking up residence in the town centre – appears to have his very own fan club.
Pensioner Sylvia Petfield told the News: “I know the pigeons do cause damage to buildings but surely there are more important things to worry about in this town.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 9, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting
But the authority claims the note was delivered around the Palmer estate “in error”, and has launched an investigation into its “clearly inappropriate” content. The menacing letter, purporting to be from “quality assurance officer” Gassimu Jah, is littered with grammatical errors and orders residents to stop feeding pigeons due to a build-up of excrement on Littlefield Close and Greatfield Close. It reads: “Islington are not prepared to allow this kind of behaviour and will take steps to enforce the conditions of tenancy and covenant which may [sic] severe consequences including court action and could lead to injunction or the loss of your home. “Islington council have appointed a ‘professional witness’ to obtain video and hear say evidence to identify the culprits of this behaviour. No further warnings will be given regarding this issue.” But after being approached by the Gazette, a council spokesman said: “This letter was sent out in error and is clearly inappropriate. We are looking into how it went out and apologise for any upset. “We would only ever use a professional witness in instances where we believe serious crimes are happening or suspected, which is clearly not the case here.” Ryan Ross, who lives in Greatfield Close, told London24: “It seems strange it would say that they were delivered in error. They were hand delivered on Tuesday – I think the council is backtracking.” The 28-year-old added: “The council has delivered letters like this before, with a similar tone. It had a go at me once for not using a parking permit properly. “I never feed pigeons myself, so I didn’t feel particularly threatened by the letter. To be honest, I’ve never even noticed any pigeons around here. “What struck me most was the threat of spying. The people who feed pigeons tend to be elderly, so if this was real, it was targeted at them. Either way, it’s not something that makes you feel welcome.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 6, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
A pigeon club member has spoken of his devastation after 100 of his birds were killed in a suspected arson attack.
After seeing the flames from his Washington home, Bill Scott rushed to Barmston Allotments to try and save the birds he has been racing since 2009, but all perished in the fire.
Crews from Washington and Marley Park spent three hours tackling the blaze on Saturday night which saw the lofts razed to the ground.
Bill, 62, has been told that the incident, which happened at around 9pm, is being treated as suspected arson.
“It’s devastating to get there and see those birds on the ground, knowing I couldn’t get to them,” he said. “There were seventy adult birds and thirty young ones who had only just hatched.
“I live at the other side of the railway track from the allotments. I saw the smoke and could smell it, but didn’t realise it was the allotments until I looked out of the window.”
Though Bill’s birds could not be saved, his son Hayden, 22, managed to save some birds from a neighbouring loft.
The dad added: “Since I’ve left work I’m down here every day. I’m in a racing club and they are good pigeons. It’s devastating because they won’t fly at night, so even if they could get out of the loft, they wouldn’t fly, they just sit there and burn.”
He added: “I’ve been told that it was multiple fires so someone has set out to destroy the loft deliberately. I can’t bring my birds back, but I hope something can be done to stop this happening again.”
In 2012, thousands of pounds in damage was caused when fire tore through the same allotments.
The fierce blaze destroyed years of hard work by proud owners and left the ground scorched and covered in ash. On that occasion, fanciers had been able to save some of the birds.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
